Merced car hire
Search hundreds of hire car sites at once for hire car deals in Merced
Save up to 48%Compare multiple travel sites with one search.
Free to useThere are no hidden charges or fees.
Filter your dealsFilter by car type, brand and more. Instantly customise your results.
Book with flexibilityUse our "free cancellation" filter for maximum flexibility at no extra cost.
Cheap car hire in Merced
| Mini |
| Economy |
| Compact |
| Intermediate |
| Standard |
| Full-size |
| Luxury |
| People carrier |
| Passenger van |
| SUV |
| Commercial |
| Pick-up truck |
KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Merced
- Merced is a mostly suburban city in the state of California and is a popular spot for small-town breaks. The town is also only 107 miles from Monterey Bay, which is popular for seaside towns and summer vacations. When you have access to a car, you’ll be able to access attractions like these and many more, like the Yosemite Lakes, which are only 52 miles away. Choosing to use a service like a car hire in Merced is one of the best ways to ensure that you see everything you plan to during your visit to the city. There are also several museums and landmarks to explore in the Merced city centre, like the Merced County Courthouse Museum and the Steven Stayner and Timothy White Monument. You'll also get to avoid using public transport and be able to go wherever you want to go, at whatever time you choose.
- If you plan on making most of your journey via air, you may want to consider renting a car from Merced Airport (MCE). This is only 3 miles away from the town centre but has several Merced car hire outlets that you can choose from. There are also many vehicle options for you to select, so you can have the vehicle you need for the trip you have planned. Hiring a vehicle from Merced Airport (MCE) will also prove advantageous, as you won’t have to worry about lugging your bags on a bus or hailing for a taxi. You can pick up your rental vehicle from the same terminal you arrive at.
- Because Merced is a small, Californian town, driving should be approached in a relaxed manner, as the locals do. It’s unlikely that you will come across any drivers that are particularly aggressive, as the suburbs generally have a more calm atmosphere than the cities. The roads are also well maintained, although you should take caution when driving in town, as there are several driving schools around with new drivers honing their skills. It’s best to be patient if you find yourself stuck behind a learner driver.
- In Merced, it’s important that you stick to the speed limit, as their traffic cops keep the road rules in check with speed cameras. If you do get a speeding fine, you can expect to pay for this a lot later, as your outlet for car hire in Merced will bill this to you when their branch receives the fine. As far as driving difficulties are concerned, you may want to avoid the roads at around 15:00 as this is when many parents go to pick their children up from school. The roads can get busy at this time and therefore should be avoided if you do not want to get stuck in traffic.
- Book your car hire in Merced at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Compact car hire in Merced are around 40% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about car hire in Merced
How much is the price of fuel in Merced?
The average price of fuel in Merced is £3.12 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of fuel costs between £37 and £50, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular car hire in Merced?
Compact (Ford Focus or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Merced.
How can I find car hires near me in Merced?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
How much does a Compact car hire cost in Merced?
A Compact car hire in Merced costs £27 per day, on average.
How much does a Standard car hire cost in Merced?
A Standard car hire in Merced costs £36 per day, on average.
How much does an Intermediate car hire cost in Merced?
An Intermediate car hire in Merced costs £40 per day, on average.
Should I get insurance when hiring a car in Merced?
Most car hire providers in Merced offer insurance but the level of protection can differ substantially. If you're unsure whether to get extra protection for your car hire in Merced, check out KAYAK's car hire insurance guide.
What type of car is recommended for driving in Merced?
For inner-city trips, and solo or couples journeys, a small car will be enough to get you from A to B. Unless you plan on exploring more of the countryside that surrounds Merced, you don’t need to have a big vehicle. Although, for family trips, there are several fantastic SUV options available for car hire in Merced.
What’s the speed limit in Merced?
Most of the streets in Merced have a speed limit of 25 mph, and take these limits very seriously. The town is filled with children walking to and from school and other pedestrians too, therefore, the council enforces these to keep its residents safe. On the highways, however, speed limits can increase to 65 mph or 55 mph for larger vehicles, such as delivery vans and trucks.
Where are the best places to park in Merced?
Having booked your accommodation in Merced, you should have received confirmation whether there is secure parking to leave your vehicle. Although crime is not necessarily an issue in Merced, having secure parking is a nice-to-have. When it comes to parking in town, your best bet is to park at the 501-599 W 16th St Garage, as this is more centrally located. If you plan on going somewhere specific in town, there is likely designated parking at the establishment. Parking in Merced will cost you around $5 per day, so no more than £3.50.
Merced car hire reviews and directory
Avis
10.0
Wonderful
2 reviewsCleanliness
10.0
Comfort
10.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
10.0
Value for money
10.0
One location in Merced
Locations in Merced
1599 West 16th Street
+1 209 722 1689
Filters
Reviews
2.0 Poor
May 2018
Cons:
The booking should have told us there were no cars available.Enterprise Rent-A-Car
7.6
Good
11 reviewsCleanliness
8.0
Comfort
6.8
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.4
Value for money
6.8
2 locations in Merced
Locations in Merced
1334 W. Main
+1 209 722 1600
1636 Carnegie St
+1 209 632 8000
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Mar 2024
2.0 Poor
Dec 2023
10.0 Wonderful
Jan 2021
Pros:
Everything.Cons:
I can’t think of anything.10.0 Wonderful
Sept 2020
Pros:
Super quick and easy pickup and dropoff10.0 Wonderful
Dec 2016
Pros:
They were very helpful and kind2.0 Poor
Mar 2023
Hertz
7.0
Good
11 reviewsCleanliness
10.0
Comfort
9.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.0
Value for money
7.0
4 locations in Merced
Locations in Merced
1460 Atlanta Court
+1 209 668 9477
2440 N Golden State Blvd
+1 209 668 9477
830 I St
+1 209 827 0133
945 Martin Luther King Jr.way
+1 209 722 4200
Filters
Reviews
4.0 Mediocre
Nov 2021
10.0 Wonderful
Apr 2021
Pros:
everything was greatCons:
they should wash their vehicles and vacuum them prior to renting them.8.0 Very Good
Oct 2018
Pros:
Rental process ok.Cons:
That the whole office goes to lunch at the same time so you have a long pick up wait.8.0 Very Good
Jun 2018
Pros:
Very friendly people2.0 Poor
Mar 2018
Pros:
Nothing. Didn't get to actually rent the vehicleCons:
I was stuck in traffic from 2 hours and tried to have my reservation transferred over to another location. They kept sending me to different locations in San Jose, CA and none of them had any available. I called the Alameda location and they asked me if it was through or insurance or personal, and if it was prepaid. I told them it was rented by me and prepaid and they said that they didn't have cars available (without checking) and I asked why and then they put me on hold and hung up on me. I tried calling back a least 5 times from two different numbers and they refused to pick up. Worst car rental customer service ever.10.0 Wonderful
Sept 2016
Pros:
Fast and friendlyBudget
6.5
Okay
16 reviewsCleanliness
5.5
Comfort
6.5
Pick-up/Drop-off
5.0
Value for money
7.5
2 locations in Merced
Locations in Merced
1599 West 16th Street
+1 209 383 3804
20 Macready Drive
+1 209 722 0147
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
May 2021
Pros:
Staff was amazing price was worth it..car was 100 goodCons:
If i could keep the car forever5.6 Fair
May 2018
Pros:
A lot of extra fees from kayak because they don’t explain you’re doubling up insurance if you accept it on the site. It doesn’t covers much eather10.0 Wonderful
Feb 2018
Pros:
Clerk was helpful and friendlyCons:
I was hoping it was cheaper. ;-)6.0 Okay
Dec 2017
Cons:
The tires were really loud.10.0 Wonderful
May 2017
Pros:
Excellent customer service. Great ride. The car was new and clean.Cons:
None10.0 Wonderful
Mar 2017
Pros:
Pick up and drop off was quick and easy. The car was great. Fantastic gas mileage. Everything worked perfectly. Couldn't be more satisfied.Easirent
4.6
Mediocre
No reviews available
One location in Merced
Locations in Merced
Filters
No reviews available
Car hire locations in or near Merced
Good to know
Most popular car type | Compact |
|---|
When to book a car hire in Merced
Car hire insurance in Merced
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) & Theft Protection Waiver
Some Merced car providers already include Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Theft Protection Waiver into the hire price but not all of them. We recommend being aware of your coverage when hiring a car in Merced.
Deductible
Keep in mind that car hire insurances often have a deductible clause, which is the amount you’ll have to pay if something happens during the time of your hire. If you want to avoid unwanted surprises, you should consider adding a non-deductible option to your Merced car hire.